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"This is the Leaf Village's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
As the words left Heshu's lips, he saw the Salamander's nostrils flare wide.
"…"
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"
Hanzo's breathing quickened. Her gaze on Naruto burned.
What the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki meant needed no explanation. For any village, a Tailed Beast was their absolute core, their ultimate treasure.
Yet Tsukimi Heshu had brought the Jinchuriki here, utterly defenseless. Didn't this completely prove the other party's sincerity?
[Ding! Target Hanzo the Salamander Affection 80!]
"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki…"
Hanzo's eyes held complex emotions as she stepped closer, staring at the peacefully sleeping infant in the swaddling clothes. She never imagined she'd lay eyes on the Leaf's Jinchuriki so easily.
Heshu found Hanzo's fascinated look at Naruto quite amusing. So, suggesting Hanzo become a babysitter shouldn't be too outrageous, right?
"Lord Hanzo, isn't he cute?"
Heshu wore a strange smile.
Hanzo felt an inexplicable chill from it. And why ask if the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was cute? What kind of question was that to ask a warrior like her?
"Wah!"
Little Naruto chose that moment to open his watery, innocent eyes. He stared, unmoving and curious, at the strange "big sister" before him.
Hanzo froze.
Strange. The Jinchuriki was… a little bit… cute?
Ahem!
Hanzo cleared her throat twice, looking away. "Don't ask me such questions!"
Heshu smiled, unconcerned. "Lord Hanzo, come to the Hidden Leaf Village. Be Naruto's babysitter."
Hanzo spun around, her stare locking onto Heshu.
"What did you say?"
"Say that again."
She couldn't believe her ears. How dare this brat say such a thing? She must have misheard!
"Lord Hanzo, I said, come to the Hidden Leaf and be Naruto's babysitter."
Heshu repeated it, all smiles. After all, the current Hanzo had regained her youth and turned into a beauty. Who would recognize the old Salamander now? Heshu had already planned everything out in his head.
"Outrageous!"
"You're talking nonsense!"
"Do you have a death wish?"
"Do you know who I am?"
Hanzo's chest heaved, sparks practically shooting from her eyes.
Heshu spoke slowly, each word distinct. "A lie's lie shall become the truth."
Hanzo, still venting her fury, didn't even register the words.
"Utterly preposterous! Asking a demigod like me to be a mere… babysitter for a brat?!"
Hanzo paused. She tilted her head. "When do I depart for the Leaf?"
The effect was downright ridiculous. Heshu blinked, snapping out of his surprise at Hanzo's sudden shift.
"That… requires careful planning. Before you head to the Leaf, there's one more task for you."
"You little brat! You dare order me around?!"
Hanzo frowned, displeasure plain on her face. The Kotodama Jutsu's influence was limited to that one directive about being a babysitter.
Heshu spoke leisurely. "You were already under my command."
A smile played on his lips.
Hanzo was instantly provoked. "You think you can command me?! I, Hanzo, take orders from no one! You? It's laughable!"
"A lie's lie shall become reality."
Heshu's voice echoed. Hanzo's expression changed drastically. Her attitude did a complete one-eighty.
"What else needs to be done?"
Heshu checked Hanzo's affection level. Under the Kotodama Jutsu's effect, Hanzo obeyed, but the affection hadn't budged.
"Can I use the Kotodama Jutsu to change a target's affection for me?" Heshu suddenly asked.
The system paused for a second. "Yes."
It continued. "But it is not recommended."
"The full affection obtained through Kotodama is ultimately built on illusion. The emotional energy contained within is minuscule. My ability to draw power from the smaller worlds is based on these emotional energies. If the energy is lacking, there's a high probability of failure or incomplete skill extraction."
This was originally classified system information, not to be told to the host. But the system felt its relationship with Heshu was no longer just system and host. As Heshu said, they were brothers.
Heshu nodded, comforting the slightly downcast system. "I was just asking. I never planned to use Kotodama for affection anyway."
That felt too fake. Tsukimi Heshu wasn't someone who liked to delude himself with falsehoods. He smiled inwardly. That last line had a nice ring to it.
"Do you know about the Akatsuki organization gaining prominence in Amegakure recently?"
Under Hanzo's watchful eye, Heshu shoved little Naruto into her arms. Consider it advanced babysitter training. Hanzo was visibly flustered.
Heshu sat in Hanzo's chair, watching her stiffly hold the infant.
"Akatsuki?" Hanzo thought for a moment and nodded. "Of course. An organization advocating for peace through non-aggression pacts."
Truth be told, she'd been rather fond of them before. They had recruited quite a few ninja. The three young founders were particularly skilled. If they could join Amegakure officially, she'd be even more pleased.
"Don't you think their influence in the village is growing too much?" Heshu countered.
Hanzo was the key to setting Akatsuki's true founding in motion. She had to be the one to deliver Nagato into Obito's hands.
Hanzo nodded. "Their influence is indeed notable." A trace of disdain flickered across her face. "But trying to shake my position? It's like an ant trying to topple a tree. Delusional!"
Hanzo was supremely confident in her village's loyalty. Moreover, her current strength far surpassed her previous peak. A few upstart youngsters? She had countless ways to deal with them.
"Kill them."
Heshu said it plainly.
Hanzo jolted. What kind of outrageous suggestion was that?
"Amegakure doesn't need a growing organization, does it?"
Heshu watched her.
Hanzo pursed her lips and nodded. It was just snuffing out a budding group. No big deal.
"Kill all the Amegakure ninja who've seen your current form."
Heshu issued the order, not planning to do it himself.
"Why?" Hanzo asked, puzzled.
"Because you're going to the Leaf. I don't want your identity as Hanzo of Amegakure exposed."
Hanzo coming to babysit little Naruto… the thought alone was terrifying. Heshu rubbed his chin.
On the day Yahiko died, Nagato would certainly snap. Hanzo just needed to escape, faking her death. From then on, Hanzo the Salamander would vanish from this world. Everything else could proceed. His Corona Mode Clone could remain embedded within Akatsuki. By controlling Nagato and Konan, Amegakure would effectively be in his hands.
Before the Fourth Great War, he had to grasp the behind-the-scenes power of all five great villages. Only then, after the war, would he have the authority to enact reforms. These things required long-term planning. Luckily, little Naruto was still small. He had enough time.
He needed both control and affection points. One was useless without the other.
"Fine."
Hanzo had no objections. In her will, she obeyed the person before her.
"The sooner, the better."
Heshu glanced at the rain outside the window. "Now."
Hanzo nodded. "Agreed."
For her, it wouldn't take more than half an hour.
Heshu took Naruto back from Hanzo's arms. His figure vanished from the office.
Hanzo performed a Transformation Jutsu, reverting to his previous, older appearance. He opened the office door.
"Lord Hanzo."
The guard ninja outside bowed respectfully upon seeing him.
"Ghk!"
A slit throat. Blood sprayed against the wall. The Rain ninja clutched his gushing neck, disbelief not even having time to register in his eyes before his life faded.
Hanzo's figure moved silently down the corridor. Blood flew. Lives were reaped. All were ninja who had witnessed his transformation.
"Summon all Jonin and Chunin in the village."
Hanzo adjusted the metal plates on his arms, his expression calm and detached from start to finish.
"Yes, sir!"
…
Heshu left Naruto in Xiao Qing's care as usual. He focused his consciousness on controlling the Corona Mode Clone.
"Sister Konan, where are you going?"
His perspective shifted back to the small inn. Konan was putting on a rainproof cloak, preparing to go out.
"Hanataki!"
Hanataki was conscious for the second time that day. Delighted, Konan gently ruffled his hair.
"I'm going to buy dinner!"
Konan smiled warmly. She settled Hanataki down and walked to the door, waving. "Wait here, Hanataki! I'll bring back something tasty!"
Hanataki's face broke into a huge smile. He nodded vigorously. "Okay!"
The inn door closed softly. Konan's figure disappeared.
Yahiko and Nagato were discussing tomorrow's affairs. Other Akatsuki members chuckled and chatted occasionally. The atmosphere was peaceful, joyful.
A pity it wouldn't last.
An hour later.
Yahiko noticed something off about Hanataki.
"Hanataki, what's wrong?"
He saw Hanataki fidgeting and came over to soothe him.
Hanataki shook his head, brows furrowed. "Why isn't Sister Konan back yet?"
Yahiko paused, then his own brows knitted.
Right. Usually, Konan only needed half an hour to buy dinner. Why was she taking so long today?
Yahiko looked at Nagato. A single glance conveyed his worry. Nagato understood immediately. Both stood up, faces grave.
The next second, a kunai whistled through the air, thudding into the wooden window frame.
"Who's there?!"
Someone from Akatsuki moved to pursue.
Yahiko stopped them. "Wait!"
He walked to the window and saw the kunai had pinned a note to the wood. He read it, and his face turned ashen.
"What happened, Yahiko?!" Nagato rushed to his side. He saw Yahiko's expression and followed his gaze to the note.
Nagato's pupils contracted. "Konan!"
"Sister Konan!"
"What's wrong with Sister Konan?"
Hearing the familiar name, Hanataki trembled. Tears welled up in his eyes unbidden. He ran to Yahiko, grabbing his sleeve. "Brother Yahiko, what's wrong with Sister Konan?"
He saw the fear and tears in Hanataki's eyes. Yahiko clenched his fists. "Konan's been captured."
Hanataki's eyes widened, filling with determination. "We have to save her! Brother Yahiko, I'm coming too!"
[Ding! Target Nagato Affection 81!]
Yahiko shook his head. "No! It's too dangerous! You can't go, Hanataki!"
Tears immediately streamed down Hanataki's face. He clutched Yahiko's sleeve tighter. "Brother Yahiko, please! I want to save Sister Konan too! Hanataki is strong! I won't hold you back!"
"Brother Nagato, let me go, please?"
Yahiko's face was resolute. Hanataki switched targets. He looked at Nagato, tears brimming.
[Ding! Target Nagato Affection 82!]
Yahiko didn't know Hanataki's true abilities, but Nagato did. Nagato's gaze lowered slightly, taking in Hanataki's tear-streaked face. Perhaps bringing him could be useful.
"Bring Hanataki."
Nagato looked at Yahiko. "You know how much Konan means to him. If we leave him at the inn, he might sneak out alone. That would be even more dangerous."
Yahiko was persuaded. He nodded. "Alright."
"Konan's been taken. We must bring her back!"
Yahiko addressed the other Akatsuki members solemnly. "Akatsuki does not abandon its comrades!"
"Right!"
"Let's save Konan!"
The others immediately agreed. Konan, who handled their daily provisions, was well-liked by everyone.
"Let's move!"
The group donned their signature cloaks and headed for the location written on the note.
The clouds pressed lower. The rain grew heavier. Their figures weaved through the thinning crowds, vanishing from one street only to appear on the next.
Hanataki followed close behind Yahiko, walking beside Nagato.
"System, I'm selecting a skill to upgrade."
Heshu called out in his mind. "I'm using Killer Bee's 60 affection to upgrade [Corona Mode Clone]."
"Understood."
The system's reply was reassuringly solid.
[Ding! Host has selected skill [Corona Mode Clone] for upgrade. Please maintain connection.]
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…]
[Ding! Upgrade successful!]
[Ding! [Corona Mode Clone] skill progress before upgrade: 25%. Skill progress after upgrade: 70%!]
Having done this before, the system's operation was noticeably faster.
"Seventy percent progress on [Corona Mode Clone]!"
Hanataki clenched his fist. The previous sense of bodily lag vanished completely. He felt as free and unrestricted as his main body.
"There!"
After an unknown length of time, they left Amegakure's boundaries behind. They entered a stretch of plains. On a high ground opposite them stood a figure all too familiar to Yahiko and Nagato.
"Hanzo!"
Yahiko gritted his teeth. For the demigod who had protected the village, he'd once held deep reverence. But that respect turned to confusion and hatred upon seeing Konan, bound and gagged, standing beside him.
"Why?"
Yahiko demanded, staring at Hanzo.
"Do I need a reason for what I do?"
Hanzo shot back.
"…"
Hanataki, standing behind Yahiko, raised an eyebrow. Ever since regaining her youth, Hanzo's attitude had become incredibly arrogant.
"Release Konan!"
Nagato spoke from the side.
"Sure."
Hanzo agreed amiably.
Yahiko and Nagato froze. Just like that?
"Kill him, and I'll let the woman go."
Hanzo spun a kunai in his hand. The next moment, it embedded itself in the ground at Nagato's feet.
Nagato stiffened. "What are you saying?! That's impossible!"
How could he ever kill Yahiko?
Konan, bound, shook her head desperately, muffled pleas escaping her gag.
"Fine. Don't kill him."
Hanzo gave a look to a ninja beside him. The man immediately kicked Konan to the ground, pressing a kunai to her throat, drawing a thin line of blood.
"Konan!"
Yahiko's pupils dilated. Hanataki, behind him, clearly saw Yahiko's hands begin to tremble.
"I'll only count to three!"
Hanzo watched the scene below. "One… Two…"
Yahiko bent down and picked up the kunai. He looked at the lost, panicked Nagato and offered a bitter smile.
The next moment, Yahiko shoved the kunai into Nagato's hand and threw his own body forward, impaling himself on the blade.
"BROTHER YAHIKO!"
Hanataki's cry tore through the desolate rain-soaked night, adding a layer of tragic grandeur.
The system quietly began searching the smaller worlds for a skill akin to "Golden Throat."
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